Shinji Okazaki must hit the goal trail if he is to impress the Japan national team boss and earn a place in the World Cup squad – and even then it might not be enough.

Okazaki may be third on the list of Japan’s all-time international goalscorers, having scored 50 goals in 111 appearances for Japan, but he has been left out of the last two Japan squads ahead of the World Cup finals in Russia.

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Coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who led Algeria to the last 16 four years ago in Brazil, has stated he is looking to give chances to younger players and while he has left the door open for some of the players omitted, his comments will not encourage Okazaki that even if he does hit top form for City that he will be included for the finals.

“I’m looking for players who can score goals,” Halilhodzic has told the Japanese media.

“Players with different qualities to Okazaki. Players who can score more goals. Players who can give me something different. I want to try other players.”

Shinji Okazaki's chances of reaching the World Cup are seriously in doubt after the Japan manager said he didn't score enough goals. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

It isn’t just goalscoring that seems to be held against Okazaki, as Halilhodzic is keen on playing with a targetman striker and 6’2” striker Kenyu Sugimoto, who plays for J League side Cerezo Osaka, is currently in favour.

“Okazaki plays a different role with Leicester to how we play in the national team.”

Okazaki, who still has a year to run on his City contract, started the season in great goalscoring form.

The unselfish player had admitted that he needed to get into the box from his withdrawn striker rile more often and he began the campaign by scoring five goals in his first eight appearances.

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However, besides a double in the 4-1 win at Southampton in December, the goals have dried up as injury and the continual swapping and changing of the support striker role by Claude Puel has interrupted his season.